Cop killed, four injured as lorry hits police jeep in Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad: A Sub-Inspector from Warangal district was killed and four other policemen were seriously injured when a speeding lorry hit them when they were on patrolling duty in view of 'Sadak Bandh' protest programme in Mahabubnagar district, police said.

The mishap occurred in the early hours on Thursday when Sub-Inspector Chinappa and three constables and a home guard from Warangal were deployed as part of security arrangements following 'Sadak Bandh'. They were on patrolling duty near Jadcherla of Mahabubnagar, they said.

Chinappa and four others were trying to rescue some injured persons, who were travelling in a four-wheeler that had fallen down from the Jadcherla flyover after hitting a road-divider when a speeding lorry hit the police jeep, a senior police official said.

Chinappa sustained serious head injuries in the accident and died on way to hospital, he said, adding four other policemen, who suffered serious injuries were shifted to a hospital.

The lorry-driver was taken into custody and Jadcherla Police was further investigating the case.

The Telangana-Joint Action Committee has called for a 12-hour 'Sadak Bandh' protest by planning to block the Hyderabad-Bangalore NH-7, over the Centre's "failure" to take a decision on the issue of statehood to the region.